but we all say this is the Kiwi Sauce Bottle, don’t we?
The tomato shaped dispenser is a retro icon from the 1950’/ 60s used by Watties for years in New Zealand. Now classic Kiwiana. Even been seen on Happy Days at the Cunningham’s kitchen table apparently.Source: The Good Store

and it’s all about the squeeze people

One good one is all you need.There’s a reason some things endure, and it’s quite often design. One squirt = one serve. Be elegant in your portions. Control waste. Trust the mechanism.

And while I’m dishing out info like a google pro, what’s the difference between Tomato Sauce and Ketchup? From what I can pick up its definitely more sugar, and less important, less vinegar. Seems it’s hard to go back once you’ve had Ketchup, but I’ve been to America recently eating way too many french fries with ketchup and I’m not hunting it out in my local supermarket.

Totes happy with the original. But liking ketchup is not a mis-allegiance to the Aussie or Kiwi flag no matter how you slice it. Found this funny forum thread here in Poh’s Kitchen FYI.

extra sauce:

Remember the tomato joke from Pulp Fiction?

And to source these quirky saucy tomato based products [purchase or hire]click here

And if there’s a happier colour combo? Show me.
Pretty fond of this lot.

Urn it.
Reluctant to sell this orange piece. It’s large and magnificent and I bought it on an awesome buying trip/mini break/ solo mission last year. It was the last shop I hit and I was pretty tapped out. Like very. Knew I had already spent far too much. Eek. But also knew when I went out and sat in the car, I would drive back to Sydney organising freight. And then it might break. And then be so annoyed with myself for indecision…

Anyway I was trying to do a short post because I know we are all too busy for words… So yeah. I went back in. Maxed out the plastic on glass. Bought it. Loved it. Still do but… yup, it’s up for grabs.

Quick before I change my mind.

Orange Empoli Italian cased bottle, god I love that faux wicker texture. It could be cheesy if not perfectly executed. Lucky it is.

Yellow cased jug. Mid century. That crazy arse shape. Was a ….. to clean, so visibly filthy inside, got a scourer stuck in there [amateur] and after a few days and a smart idea from Gemma in the shop next door I reefed it out with the bent hook of a coathanger. So relieved. Ridiculously happy over a small triumph #nerd

Yes, the sunlight’s fading but contain yourselves Sydney. Don’t get SAD. Store some cool stuff in a happy place and brighten up the grey wet winter coming too soon #notready

Waechsterbach West German Canisters in yellow and black [sold already but now regretful, they looked so nice and sunny on my sideboard d’oh!…but they couldn’t have gone to a happier home, sounds like a cliche but seriously could not. ] They had been sitting inside the sideboard as I didn’t have the lids for so long, like over 2 years, and would you believe when I was finally spurred into looking for a keen customer, on Ebay around the corner, literally 5-10 ks away and on my way home later, they were also available on buy it now? And the seller responded straight away. I had my lids which did fit, what are the odds really? There were no others for sale anywhere in the world the same size. Solved and sold within the hour. Wait what did I just do? Ah… sweet yellow sunshine come back…

Leadlight sun mirror from Camden markets, NFS, it’s super cool but only small fry. Wanting a big sun god. More of that later… Anyway the super sweet Hornsea Stripes and Pineapple jam pot are good to go. But may not last. You can grab them here

Pyrex casseroles, this pattern’s often called Sunflowers though it’s actual name is Daisy, according to Pyrex Love. These two went fast, also gone before I had time to think. But always chasing more.

So, looking on the bright side… Worshipping our new Sunburst mirror. A souvenir of my time working on The Block. Shaynna Blaze decorated a room in Hollywood Regency style for the tv show Open House. See it [and my graphics ] here. Of all the new retro style mirrors out there, this one IMO, is the super hot shining star. Shaynna nailed it. I caught the last one, sorry people. Got it from Mezzai. They may get more.

Not new but catch this
Eyes closed, could swear it’s Tim Rogers. No, it’s Doves = brilliant. Big new fan.

THE SUNFLOWER MAIDEN

There was once a beautiful water-nymph called Clytie. She had wonderful golden hair, and every day she used to come forth from her pool, and comb it. It fell around her face in great waves, and shone in the sun like gold. Clytie loved the warmth of the sun. She used to watch for Apollo’s chariot to come through the gates of heaven every morning. Then the world was flooded with the sunrise, and hills and valleys rejoiced. One day Clytie saw Apollo driving the sun-chariot. He wore his dazzling crown, and his face shone fair and bright. He was strong and handsome, and held the reins of his four fiery horses firmly in his powerful hand. Through the sky he went all day long, driving the horses along the middle way. Clytie watched him, and admired his strength and his beauty. She was sorry when the sun-chariot entered the western seas, and was lost to her. Darkness came over the earth, and Clytie shivered. She returned to the water, and dreamed of the bright young sun-god all night long. The next morning she arose before dawn, and stood by the side of the pool, watching for the return of Apollo. Soon a golden light tinged the eastern sky, and then the sun-god came forth once more. Clytie watched him eagerly. All day long she followed his course, sighing when he returned to the west. The little nymph fell deeply in love with the handsome god. She thought of him and of nothing else. No longer did she return to her pool at night, but stood waiting in the darkness for the first golden gleam to appear in the east. She longed for Apollo to see her, and to return her love. She felt certain that if he saw her waiting for him, he would come to her with loving words. So all day long she watched and waited for him to see her. She combed out her pretty hair so that it hung round her face like a sheet of gold. It gleamed in the sun, and shone so brightly that her sister nymphs came up to her and stroked her head. But Clytie paid no heed to them. Always she watched for the moment when Apollo would see her and smile. But the sun-god did not turn his head. He looked straight before him, keeping his fiery horses on their difficult way. He did not see Clytie of the golden hair watching him with loving eyes. Day after day the nymph saw Apollo drive out from the eastern sky, mount the heavens, and return to the western seas at night. Her face turned to him wherever he went and followed his course all day long. For nine days Clytie watched the sun-god, and never once did she take her eyes from him. She had no food and no drink, save only her own bitter tears. Then, on the ninth day, when she would have moved, she could not. Her feet had become rooted to the ground. Her arms and fingers were green leaves. Her face, with its halo of golden hair, had become a flower! Clytie was a sunflower. She could neither speak nor weep; but still she turned her golden head towards the sun, following his course the whole day through. And from that time to this all sunflowers do the same their pretty golden faces look always towards the sun-god, as he drives his golden chariot through the sky.

Ancient Greek myth retold by Enid Blyton in Tales Of Long Ago

A book my mum gave me Long Ago. My son read it recently and he loved it too. Will keep forever. Second Edition. Love these seventies Enid Blyton hardcovers by Dean & Sons. They bring back warm happy memories.
So cool aren’t they?

Unlike the faithful flamingo who mates for life, human love may not last. Sadly.

Witness the divorces! As we moved [sulkily] into the ahem, forty-is-the-new-thirty-something- #denial-crowd separation started to show it’s ugly messy head in sometimes unexpected places. Conversations with the girls [alright, ladies then] like no matter how much we care we all drive each other crazy right? etc. etc. make me wonder about relationships. Till Death Do Us Part? That’s a long flocking time in this non-Bubonic plague era. Who ever invented monogamy may not have been so optimistic had they factored in the average age of death was 50 max, now its 85.

Whats the best scenario long term? Opposites attract or birds of a feather? Huffington Post says opposites can work, but it will be harder than sharing similar core values.

And this doesn’t mean that you both like smooth peanut butter or toast cooked to the same shade of brown [first world problems anyone?] but more to do with how you were raised and how you agree to raise your children and, another important factor: how you spend your money. It’s a deal breaker.

Not that I am an expert, but I’ve put in a good solid nearly 16 years of married life. I buy both kinds of peanut butter, am over toast anyway and ignore the rapid accumulation of mid life crisis motor related accessories muscling out the Urban Rustic Warehouse AKA our garden shed. Mid-century chairs vs hot metal = equally crazy, just in opposite ways. Same same but different #whatever : )

Happy Hallmark Day people ❤
Here’s my commercial offering:
The new pair: Don Featherstone 1957 designed lawn flamingos
available at Urban Rustic and still $50 = love

Like this:

top brassIf a magnet doesn’t stick its solid brass, if it does, it’s a brass covered steel.

So should you polish it? To improve it’s value no, the patina reveals it’s age and charm, according to some, but then again if you prefer clean and shiny it’s totally your call… English Custom Polishing believes antiques need to be restored and preserved and if greenish oxidisation or black tarnish doesn’t do it for you, clean it by all means but leave a little grime in the cracks to show antiquity and allow for accurate dating.

During the 1960s aluminum cookware and pieces were thought to be linked to Alzheimer’s Disease but apparently there’s been no definitive research to prove this. The Alzheimer’s Association claims it’s a myth according to ehow. So if you are cool with that then consider them safe for a few bevvies.

But just check, I did find this warning to check if the coating is chipped or flaky. And to make sure the tumbler is aluminium. Best to avoid acidic drinks like lemonade and don’t hold it in them for long periods. Chug down your cold one with a dose of warm happy memories.
Cheers

Made in Sydney by Gay Plastics from 1950-1965.
The harlequin [multicoloured] set of kitchen canisters are the most sought after and can pull big money. Sometimes selling on Ebay for $200-300.

This is my collection of mixed up wannabes. Picked up in various places at different times, finally coming together after a yard sale score on Saturday.

Only the blue one is true Gayware. The rest are old fakers [unbranded vintage knock offs, check their bottoms]. Though they look pretty real. And pretty damn good. Except for the F lid. It’s a bit cracked up. Aren’t we all…

Like this:

Orange is the colour of adventure and social communication, according to colour psychology. It is optimistic, uplifting and spirit rejuvenating. Apparently so much so that we should find ways to use it everyday, even if it is just an orange coloured pen or a kooky kitchen whisky thingy.

Orange is the most controversial of colours. Many consider it to be the gauche legacy of the freewheeling ’70s. But what an unfair reputation that decade has! To me, the ’70s were when the counterculture became the popular culture — and when adults finally felt liberated to embrace immaturity. You could be young again without having to be innocent! Orange shouted out to the world that you didn’t take things too seriously: that you weren’t old and crusty, that you were not your parents, and that you didn’t have a living room full of plastic-covered furniture. Rather, your furniture was made of plastic — and it was probably designed by Verner Panton.

And this is just a taste, a small mix of my orange collection.
So so much more to come… it’s a Work In Progress. If you’re an orange fan, please watch this space.

In the meantime you can try some Candy. John Candy.

Orange whip? Orange whip?

So what is an Orange Whip?

It’s a cocktail made with rum and vodka mixed with cream and orange juice. Blended and frothy and poured over ice in a tall glass. Mmm….

And a 1950’s non alcoholic beverage made famous in this seemingly random quirky scene from the Blues Brothers which was actually ad libbed as a favour to the Sales Director of the Orange Whip Corporation which had supplied drinks on the film set.